Curtain rod support

ABSTRACT

A device for use in adjustably mounting an accessory element such as a curtain rod support on a window frame, casement or the like. The device is so constructed as to permit horizontal and vertical adjustment of the supported element. The device is readily assembled without the necessity for bolts, screws, clamps and the like. It can be used with conventional accessory elements without the necessity of modification thereto.

United States Patent Cormier [451 Dec. 5, 1972 1541 CURTAIN Ron SUPPORT [72] Inventor: Louis A. Corm ier, c/o Cormier Jewelers, 42 Central Street, Southbridge, Mass. 01550 [22] Filed: June7,197l

211 Appl. No.: 150,269

[52] US. Cl. ..248/265, 248/257, 248/269 [51] Int. Cl. ..A47h 1/142 [58] Field of Search ..248/25l, 256, 257, 258, 265,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/1912 Foertsch ..248/269 2/1'944 Lucas ..24s/25sx 5/1954 Henley ..248/265 Primary Examiner-J. Franklin Foss Attorney-Norman S. Blodgett [57] ABSTRACT 5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 3/1969 Kowalczyk ..248/265 minnow: 51972 SHEET 1 or 2 V 011/5" 4 former 217' axe viz PATENTEDDEB 5 ma 3.704.851

SHEU 2 BF 2 [oz/15 (bi/flier CURTAIN ROD SUPPORT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention is supporting devices and, more particularly, a specially mounted, adjustable supporting device for mounting accessory elements such as curtain rod supports on window easements and the like. Curtains, drapes and the like have long been used to decorate windows. These curtains are customarily suspended from a supporting rod which is, in turn, secured to the'frame or casement surrounding the window by means of an accessory element, such as a curtain rod holder. It has been customary that such accessory elements are provided with suitable flanges with holes therein so that the accessory elements can be mounted directly on the window casement or frame by means of metal or wood screws. In some cases, the accessory elements are mounted on the walls surrounding the window frame using suitable wall anchors and screws.

These prior installations have many disadvantages. As stated, the accessory elements have been affixed to the window casement or frame, or to the surrounding wall, by screws. This obviously has resulted in unsightly holes marring the woodwork or other structural member involved. When it has been desired to adjust or change the position of the accessory element due to shrinkage of the curtains, replacement thereof or for any such reason, it has been necessary to drill a new set of holes, thus adding to the disfigurement of the ares. Further, such changes are time consuming and expensive. Also, disadvantages have been encountered when attempting to mount conventional accessory elements on irregularly shaped window frames, as such frames do not present a planar front surface against which the flanges of the accessory element can be fastened. Such installations require the use of adapting elements such as shims and excessively large screws.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thepresent invention permits the use of conventional flanged accessory elements to support curtain rods while eliminating the necessity for drilling holes in the front of the window frame or casement, or in the surrounding wall ares. The 'present invention further provides ready adjustment of the position of the acces sory element relative to the window frame, both horizontally and vertically. Further, the device of the present invention is readily removable from the window frame or casement.

The device of the present invention includes a supporting means which is designed to engage a window frame or casement. In the case of a wooden window frame, the supporting means will have a planar top portion of a width sufficient to overlie the top of the window frame. This top portion can have a hole in its surface so it can be attached to the top of the window frame by a screw, if desired. At the rear of the top portion of the supporting means there is a downwardly-dcpending rear portion which is adapted to fit between the window frame and the wall on which it is mounted. In the case of a metal frame or casement, the supporting means also has a planar top portion of a width sufficient to overlie the top of the frame or casement. Where the frame or casement isof sufficient width, a hole can be provided in the planar top portion so that a metal screw can be used to secure the supporting means to the window frame or casement. At the rear of the planar top portion of the supporting means there can be a downwardly-depending rear portion which is adapted to fit between the window frame or casement and the wall on which it is mounted. At the front of the planar top portion of the supporting means there is provided a downwardly-depending front portion. This front portion is provided with at least one, and preferably several, apertures arranged vertically.

A bracket means is supported by the supporting means by a flange on the bracket means which is adapted to be engaged in one of the apertures in the front portion of the supporting means. The bracket means has a pair of parallel spaced ears outwardly extending therefrom. Each of the ears has a notch in the upper surface thereof.

Conventional accessory elements designed to be supported by the device of the present invention have at least one flange designed to be parallel to the surface upon which it is to be supported. A hole or aperture is provided in the flange for use in securing the flange to a wall surface or frame. In the present invention there is provided a retaining means havingaprojection thereon engageable in the hole in the flange of the accessory element. This retaining means also has an elongated portion which extends to each,side of the projection and is engageable in the slots in each ear of the bracket means. Thus the accessory element is firmly held in position by the projection on the retaining means between the retaining means and the bracket means.

It can be seen that by use of the present invention the position of the accessory element relative to the window is readily adjustable inboth a horizontal or a vertical direction. The position 'of the supporting means can be adjusted horizontally relative to the window frame by sliding the top planar portion along the top of the frame. The position of the bracket can be adjusted vertically relative to the supporting means by selecting the proper aperture in the downwardly depending portion of the supporting means in whichthe flange of the bracket means is engaged. 1 I

' DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING I The character of the invention, however, may be best understood by reference to one of its structural forms, as illustrated by the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. I is a side elevational view of an accessory element supporting device in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is an exploded view in perspective of the device of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing, the illustrated invention resides in a new and novel curtain accessory support assembly which comprises a supporting means 10 having a planar top portion 11. At the rear of the top portion 11 there is a rear portion 12 downwardly dependent from the top portion 11. At the front of the top portion 11 there is a front portion 13 which depends from the top portion 11 and is generally parallel to the rear portion 12. In use the support means 10 overlies a conventional window frame 30. The top portion 11 rests on the top of the window frame and the rear portion engages the rear of the window frame. The front portion 13 of the support means is provided with a plurality of apertures 14 arranged in vertical relationship.

A bracket means 15 is fastened to the support means by a flange 16 carried by the bracket means which is engaged in one of the apertures 14 in the front portion of supporting means 10. The bracket means has a .pair of spaced parallel ears 17 extending outward therefrom. Each ear 17 has a slot 18 in the upper surface thereof. A rearwardly-directed tab 24 is provided to extend into one of the apertures 14 andprevent side movement. Conventional curtain accessory elements such as the rod holding device 19 have at least one flange 20 which lies parallel to the surface against which it is to be supported. These flanges 20 are provided with apertures or holes 21 through which a wood or sheet metal screw passes to afix the flange to a supporting surface.

A retaining means 22 is provided which has a projec tion 23. The projection 23 cooperates with the hole 21 in the flange 20 of accessory element 19. The retaining means 22 also has an elongated portion 24 which fits into the slots 18 of the ears 17 of the bracket means 15. The retaining means 22 also has a lower rectangular portion 25 which is designed to fit between the ears 17 of the bracket means 15 to aid in the support of the accessory element 19.

It can be seen from FIG. 1 that the supporting means 10 is held in place by the window frame and, in turn, supports the bracket means 15. The accessory element 19 is supported by the projection 23 of the retaining element 22 and is held in place within the confines of the cars 17 of the bracket means 15 by the retaining means 22.

Where it is desired to fixedly position the device on a window frame 30, a suitable means may be inserted through the hole 26 in the top portion 11 of the supporting means 10.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, however,

desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent l. A device for mounting an accessory element on a window frame comprising:

a. support means adapted to be suspended from a window frame and having a planar top portion, a front portion downwardly depending therefrom and having at least one aperture therein,

. bracket means including a flange engageable in an aperture in the front portion of said support means and having a pair of parallel ears outwardly disposed thereon, each ear having a slot therein;

c. an accessory element including a flange having an aperture therein, and

. retaining means having a projection engageable in the aperture in the flange of said accessory element and including an elongated portion positionable within the slots in the ears of said bracket means to lock the accessory element in position relative to the window frame 2. The device of claim 1 111 which the support means has a back portion downwardly depending from the top portion thereof parallel to the front portion and adapted to engage the rear surface of a window frame.

3. The device of claim 2 in which the top portion of said support means contains an aperture adapted to receive retaining means to fixedly engage the support means to the window frame.

4. The device of claim 2 in which the front portion of said support means contains a plurality of apertures disposed in vertical relationship to one another.

5. The device of claim 2 in which the retaining means has a lower rectangular portion which is positionable below the slots and between the ears of said supporting means. 

1. A device for mounting an accessory element on a window frame comprising: a. support means adapted to be suspended from a window frame and having a planar top portion, a front portion downwardly depending therefrom and having at least one aperture therein, b. bracket means including a flange engageable in an aperture in the front portion of said support means and having a pair of parallel ears outwardly disposed thereon, each ear having a slot therein; c. an accessory element including a flange having an aperture therein, and d. retaining means having a projection engageable in the aperture in the flange of said accessory element and including an elongated portion positionable within the slots in the ears of said bracket means to lock the accessory element in position relative to the window frame.
 2. The device of claim 1 in which the support means has a back portion downwardly depending from the top portion thereof parallel to the front portion and adapted to engage the rear surface of a window frame.
 3. The device of claim 2 in which the top portion of said support means contains an aperture adapted to receive retaining means to fixedly engage the support means to the window frame.
 4. The device of claim 2 in which the front portion of said support means contains a plurality of apertures disposed in vertical relationship to one another.
 5. The device of claim 2 in which the retaining means has a lower rectangular portion which is positionable below the slots and between the ears of said supporting means. 